Toronto, Ont. – Committed to expanding its core digital inkjet production capabilities, Webcom has invested in short-run casebinding machinery from GP² Technologies.

The new solution is ideally suited for short-run hardcover book orders in quantities of 1 to 1,000, which fits perfectly with Webcom’s suite of digital print and binding equipment.

“Today publishers can combine the best digital inkjet book-printing technologies with the best short-run hardcover bookbinding technology available. The result is great-looking casebound books, efficiently manufactured in one plant at a low cost to meet demanding turnaround cycles. Our new short-run casebinding solution is ideal for book publishers’ POD, automatic stock replenishment, end-of-life and niche market book challenges,” says Mike Collinge, president and CEO of Webcom.

Like Webcom’s softcover products, text for hardcover books will be available in mono or four?colour printing. The casebinding equipment is designed primarily for book sizes from 5 ½ × 8 ½ to 8 ½ × 11 inches and spine thicknesses from 1/8 to 3 inches.

In the first phase of the project, Webcom will produce flat?back hardcover books with optional hard or flexible spines. Durable four-colour covers will be produced using 100-lb gloss offset paper with Mylar film lamination.

The new casebinding equipment will also support BookOnDemand, Webcom’s print-on-demand solution. BookOnDemand produces books in logical batches to optimize cost and turnaround for short-run requirements.

In the coming months, Webcom will add additional cover materials and will also produce dust jackets.